This year at the Brighton Fringe, Invisible Voices will be showcasing a brand new project that tells the personal stories of the homeless around Brighton and Hove. The project aims to highlight Brighton and Hove’s ongoing problem with homelessness and to ‘give a voice to those who are homeless or are in recovery, as well as raising awareness among the general public’. However, this project is entirely crowdfunded, and they need our help.
As well as the Fringe event, Invisible Voices will also be publishing a book of stories, poems and factual information giving readers an insight into how one becomes homeless and what being homeless is really like. There will also be stories of recovery in order to demonstrate hope to those currently homeless and information on the various ways to help. All money raised by the sale of the books will be donated to First Base and Cascade Creative Recovery. Cascade Creative Recovery runs a café, where the books will be sold, which is run by and supports those in recovery. There will also be a photography exhibition by photographers Corin Spinks, Jack Savage and one of the members of the Cascade Recovery writing groups, of which will also be on sale during the Fringe at the Cascade Creative Recovery café.
Lloyd Russel Moyle, chairman of the Brighton and Hove District Labour Party, welcomed the project, telling The Argus “Homeless people have both stories to tell and a message about the fight they go through to survive. This project brings together those voices to ensure that no one is forgotten”. The Hummingbird Project, who support refugees both in Calais and locally said “using the arts as a form of activism is one of the most powerful ways to engage people in positive action and change. Well done to all involved in inspiring Invisible Voices.”
Invisible Voices have already reached their initial target, but are aiming to raise more money to ensure ‘that an event can take place next year for homeless and recovery charities and that any unforeseen extras necessary for this year can be funded without worry’. To donate, and to find out more about Invisible Voices head to their crowdfunder page.
Holly Martin
feature image: onahauphotography – you can find more of their work here
